🔗 Share this article Typhoon Matmo Struck Southern China Bringing Widespread Evacuations The powerful storm struck the coast on the southern shores of China on the weekend, following its passage over the island province of Hainan. The intense weather led to the relocation of approximately 350,000 people, delivering torrential rain and damaging winds, particularly between Wuchuan in Guangdong and Wenchang in Hainan. Boat transport were halted and flights cancelled at the airport in Haikou. Typhoon Statistics Matmo, the 21st typhoon of the year, had sustained wind speeds of 94mph and dumped over 50mm of precipitation in six hours in Chongzou and Qinzhou. The city of the region also received significant rain amounts. Matmo prompted China's top-tier red alert, with disruptions in the city, where businesses, transport links and highways were closed. In Hong Kong, numerous air services were affected and 30 cancelled. Future Projections As Matmo advances inward towards Cao Bang province in Vietnam, it is expected to diminish into a less intense system with 55mph winds but will persist to bring substantial precipitation. Northern Vietnam could face significant rainfall on the following day, raising the threat of inundation and mudslides. The weather pattern is expected to move towards Yunnan province in China, where additional heavy rainfall is likely. Global Weather Events At the same time, a hurricane named Priscilla formed off Mexico's Pacific coast on Saturday night, initially as a storm system. It led to a weather alert for the southwestern areas from a coastal point to another location on the start of the week. In the morning of the next day, Priscilla was about 491 kilometers from Cabo Corrientes with continuous gusts of 65mph. It strengthened into a hurricane in the night, when sustained winds reached at 75mph. Though not expected to make landfall, the storm is likely to generate hazardous swells and strong currents as it moves northwestward along the coast towards a Mexican state. Substantial rain is predicted on the coming day, reaching 100-150mm in specific Mexican states, with some areas at about 200mm. Colima and western Jalisco could receive 50-100mm. In other parts, Cyclone Shakhti has formed as the initial post-season cyclonic storm of 2025 in the Arabian Sea, prompting an alert from the India Meteorological Department for Maharashtra. On Sunday, Shakhti was 209 kilometers southeast of a location in Oman with peak wind speeds of 64mph. Shakhti, which has tracked in a southwestern direction and lost strength, is predicted to recurve towards the east into the Arabian Sea. Rough seas are expected to persist along the coastal stretch and heavy rainfall is expected in shoreline areas including specific Indian cities.